This is working fine for Howard.He will ALWAYS have competition at Old Trafford and rightly so.The fact is that Tim is better off competing with a slightly stale and tarnished Barthez than a world-class guy brought in new by Sir Alex specifically to replace Barthez. I am no Metros fan, but I think Howard is an outstanding young keeper and I believe he may well be starting by the end of the year. You can develop experience, but you can't learn athleticism like Howard has.
How much longer until the official announcement is made about Howard's transfer? All the papers have made it sound like it's only a formality now.
Re: For chrissalke already spot on. The last mention I saw in the guardian said the deal would take place after the confed cup. Also, I forgot about Buffon, so let's try another flier: it's still the most expensive keeper in EPL history, right?
its not up to Barthez whether he stays or not. its not that he wanted to leave before, its that Man U want him out.
Howard can start earning his place at Man U. before he even arrives. Imagine if - Howard plays on fire, like Brad at WC. He stops a penalty shot, shuts out France and Brasil, wowing fans so much with his saves that even the opposing teams supporters start to cheer him. The U.S. team, inspired by his stellar work, wins the Confed Cup. Meanwhile, Barthez has a shabby tournament, not keeping a clean sheet against a single team. In the game versus the U.S. Donovan scores against him twice, including on a rebound opportunity that Barthez should never have allowed. Now, as unlikely as this may seem, IF it does happen, who still doesn't have a chance at starting for Man U.?
A least a bit of news regarding Barthez. http://www.footballtransfers.co.uk/speculation/spec.asp?category=Confirmed
And this on the ManU's goalkeeping corps: "AND THE REST... Man United will sign teenage goalie Luke Steele as their number three goalie for £550,000.." http://www.football365.com/All_News/Premiership_News/story_70823.shtml So what does this mean for Howard? Who are 1 and 2? Barthez and Carrol? Carrol and Howard?
That depended on Laporta winning the Barca election for Pres. which he has now done, so now it's official about Rustu, it wasn't before. I still think that is ManU can get a proven EPL starter like Niemi, that Barthez will be jettisoned and Howard will start off as No. 2. If not Howard and Barthex will battle it out for the top spot with Barthez having the slight (and i do mean slight) edge because of his experience
The similarities between what happened and Femfa's hypothetical are uncanny!!!!! Femfa says what if he saves a penalty shot. And a penalty shot was taken, but Howard doesn't save it. That's almost the same thing!!!! Weird!!!! Then Femfa says what if he's on fire like Friedel in the WC. And Howard comes out and makes one good save, but otherwise plays unevenly and scrambly. It's bizarre!!!!!! Does Femfa have a crystal ball?!?!?
It might be better for Howard if he starts off on the bench. Howard has talents. But is he ready for MU now? Clubs liked Manchester United are demanding. One or two bad matches.... you are crusified. Howard is a young keeper with little experiences outside MLS. He does not even play many international games. He will have some bad games. He will be ended up another Friedel at Liverpool. He took over from James after 3 to 4 games. He did not do poorly, but not enough for Liverpool. Then, he disappeared. It was not until last season that Friedel started to live up to his expectation. I think it would be better if Barthez can stay and start. He is an old keeper going downhill. He won't last long. Howard is a young keeper. He can wait. I have no impression of Frey, but he can be unseated by Howard.
You guys can't honestly think Tim Howard will start at Man U next year. He's never played in Europe before and barely has any experience on the Ntl team. There's no way somebody like that would be able to be the starting keeper at United. Chances are he'll back up whoever they pick as first choice keeper and play in Worthington Cup games until he gets comfortable with the new style of play.
Ding ding ding ding ding.... We have a winner. I agree, he has the talent and potential, but no way will they make him the default #1, he will need some mentoring, and will get appearances here and there. Of course if injury or poor form follow the #1, he will be thrust in.
yup...definately no rush to put howard in. he's only 24, and for a keeper that means he has 10 more years to play.
And this may be optimistic. as he's showing in the ccup, he's not close to BF right now (this is not a badf thing, it makes sense. He's very young at a position where youth is a liability). He may be five years from being ready to play at a top club. And the reason is that they don't start by default. they may make mistakes, but no one is on the roster just to fill up space. Everyone can play. If Howard makes it, he'll have to fight hard for years (just ask Barthez how tough it is to please the red devils).
I'm still daydreaming and hoping that he will start for ManU! I can still hope can't I? I think he played wonderfully against Brasil.
I say this again... if Howard starts for MU next season, he will be finished by X'mas. He will not get another chance. He should be brought in slowly. Howard played good against Brazil, but he was weak against the cross.
It's very likely Howard will start for ManU, it will just be once or twice in the League Cup, FA Cup (depending on the opponent), or a meaningless Champions League game.
Barthez Barthez is still a world-class keeper, but he's starting to decline. He's inconsistant and has a distrubing tendancy to wander on the pitch and get out of position. His job as France #1 is being challenged by the young keeper whose name escapes me at the moment, but ManU would be smart to start looking at other options. Roy Carroll hasn't been bad, but he's not shown to be the kind of world-class keeper that ManU should have (and can easily afford) Tim Howard has the marking of being on-par with some of the best - just look at his performences in the Confed Cup - the rest of the team might be rubbish, but he still manages to keep them in the game. I think a transfer to ManU, a year or two as 2nd keeper (learning and adjusting to the much higher-caliber EPL), then the starting job would be an excellent career move for Howard.